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Colorado's showcase last Friday marked the final notable event of the pro day season. Quarterback Shedeur Sanders spent an hour throwing routes to his college teammates and showing the crowd of NFL personnel his talents.
Miami's Cam Ward remains the favorite to go No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans. Sanders is a near-lock to be the next quarterback up in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL draft. His high floor as a prospect who uses timing and accuracy to lift an offense makes him a good choice as a day one starter for quarterback-needy teams.
Sanders' performance at the showcase didn't ease all the concerns in his scouting report. There are still questions about his athleticism at the NFL level and his tendency to take on too many sacks.
Still, he showed off with multiple impressive throws, including deep shots down the seam that traveled well once he got in rhythm.
That may have been enough for the Cleveland Browns to decide on taking him. We're exploring that possibility in this week's mock draft.
No trades included in this mock draft.
The Titans are all but locked into Ward at No. 1. The Miami passer's mix of elite traits provides the means to be an effective passer at the NFL level. He'll need to take fewer risks in the league but has the offensive line in front of him to provide a baseline level of protection.
The Browns were out in full force for Colorado's showcase and prominent team figures met with both Sanders and teammate Travis Hunter. With the free agent market all but dried up, Cleveland takes the most pro-ready passer in the class with a high floor to lift the Browns' offense.
New York makes it two Buffaloes in a row with Hunter at No. 3. Hunter is the consensus best prospect in the class. For a team looking to win now, Hunter can step in immediately as a top-tier cornerback and work in on offense as well to take attention away from Malik Nabers.
The Patriots need a tackle but Carter is just too talented to pass up. New England invested heavily in the defense in free agency but Carter gives it a premier talent at edge. In this scenario, the Pats will look for the top tackle prospect at the top of Round 2.
Jacksonville needs help on defense and Graham is one of the safest prospects in the class. His high floor as a run defender and presence in the middle should free up edge rushers Joshua Hines-Allen and Travon Walker to wreak havoc in the pass rush.
New Raiders coach Pete Carroll built some of the best defenses in the modern era in Seattle behind an incredible secondary. Las Vegas could use a cornerback like Johnson on the outside. His tape from 2023 shows the best pure cornerback in the class.
Much of New York's new coaching staff came from Detroit. The franchise's new general manager comes from Denver. Both places put a premium on offensive line talent, either via the draft or free agency (or both). Membou can slide in right away at right tackle, where he played in college, and grow into a long-term starter.
Carolina's offense improved down the stretch in 2024 but could still use a threat on the outside. Jalen Coker isn't keeping McMillan from breaking through as a starter. McMillan provides a big-bodied, contested-catch presence on the offense. With the defensive line depth in this class, the Panthers can address those needs later on.
New Orleans needs more talent on the defensive side of the ball. Walker's positional flexibility means that he could line up in multiple spots for new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. He could be a long-term starter at off-ball linebacker, rush off the edge or a mix of both.
Jeanty's one of the best players in the class, regardless of position, and would be an immediate upgrade for the Bears. Chicago invested in the offensive line and here gets a player who can maximize the running game under new coach Ben Johnson. There are needs on the offensive and defensive lines but Chicago can address those later with its two second-round picks.
San Francisco is happy to see Campbell fall as the team has needs at each tackle spot. Left tackle Trent Williams will be 37 this season and right tackle Colton McKivitz will be a free agent next offseason. Campbell has wingspan questions but is an incredible athlete with three years of very good tape at tackle in the SEC.
Dallas misses out on the top running back but can solve that in Round 2 or even Round 3. Instead, the Cowboys get a wide receiver to take some of the attention off star CeeDee Lamb. Golden is an ideal No. 2 wideout who can fit in most any offense thanks to his speed, route running and vertical ability.
Two Longhorns go back-to-back with the versatile Barron heading to Miami. Storm Duck and Kader Kohou are slated to start alongside Jalen Ramsey in the cornerback spots. Barron could be an upgrade and a movable piece thanks to his mix of ball skills, athleticism and football IQ.
The Colts need an upgrade at tight end after losing their top two pass catchers at the position this offseason. Indianapolis is in a crucial year for quarterback Anthony Richardson and it provides the most versatile tight end in the class to help him along. Warren's a ready-made contributor in the run and pass games.
Atlanta's pass rush needs help and it gets some with a freak athlete in Stewart. He lacked sack production in college but generated pressures at a good rate. His elite tools make Stewart an ideal developmental edge rusher.
Grant's one of the best athletes in a loaded defensive tackle class. His size (6-foot-4, 331 pounds) and length (33½-inch arms) project well as a nose tackle in the NFL. He'll need some development to reach his ceiling but can work in behind free agent signees Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell before taking on a bigger role.
The Bengals get another traits-y, talented Bulldog in the first round with Williams. He played hurt in 2024 but still had strong showings, especially against the future NFL talent in Texas. His freakishly long frame, elite burst and power gives him the tools to potentially be a dominant pass rusher in the NFL.
Seattle brought in Klint Kubiak as the team's offensive coordinator for 2025 and that should see more 12 personnel or multi-tight end sets. Loveland's the top pass-catcher on the board who is not a slot wide receiver. His game translates better to the NFL than what he did at Michigan.
Tampa Bay needs more production off the edge and fills that role with college football's most productive pass rusher in 2024. Green tallied 17 sacks and 24 tackles for loss in his final season with Marshall.
Egbuka's arguably the most pro-ready wide receiver in the class. He's a polished route runner from the slot and could step in as a receiver of the future for Bo Nix. In a deep running back class, Denver addresses that need later on.
The Steelers met with Dart ahead of the draft and here decide to take a chance on the quarterback. This doesn't preclude them from signing Aaron Rodgers but offers a plan for the future at a position that's been a need for years. With no second-round pick, they make the move here.
The Chargers' loss to the Texans in the playoffs showed off the team's deficiencies in the middle of the offensive line. Los Angeles spurned skill positions to invest in the offensive line before and do so again to secure the versatile Zabel to be a guard or center of the future. The wide receiver options aren't appealing at this point and in a class with depth at defensive line and running back, the Chargers will address those needs later.
Green Bay bolstered safety in the draft and free agency last season. This year, cornerback gets an upgrade. The team signed Nate Hobbs in free agency and takes the long, athletic, tough Revel to be a long-term starter at either outside cornerback spot.
Minnesota addressed its needs in the trenches via free agency with a slew of signings. The secondary still needs some investment, though, especially after losing Cam Bynum in free agency. Starks is one of the best players in the draft regardless of position and could be a versatile piece for the Vikings on the back end.
Houston's wide receiving corps took a hit after losing Stefon Diggs in free agency and Tank Dell to injury. Burden offers a different skill set to Nico Collins and Christian Kirk as an after-the-catch creator in the open field. He could raise the floor of the offense in year one under new coordinator Nick Caley.
The Rams' young defense shined down the stretch last season but could use an upgrade at the second level. Campbell's a better talent than the cornerbacks on the board as an ideal modern linebacker. In a division featuring Trey McBride and George Kittle, he has the athleticism to help in coverage and the power to shore up run defense.
Ezeiruaku is a different kind of edge rusher than who the Ravens usually select in the draft. He's pro-ready with the best array of pass rush moves in the class. His mix of length and bend will make him an effective rusher from day one for a Baltimore defense needing help off the edge.
Injuries decimated the Lions' defense, including at edge rusher. Scourton isn't as elite an athlete as teammate Shemar Stewart but offers lots for teams at the next level with size (6-foot-3, 257 pounds) and a high motor that will endear him to the staff in Detroit. He'll be at least a rotational piece in year one.
Washington needs an upgrade at cornerback in a division featuring A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, CeeDee Lamb and Malik Nabers. Morrison excels in zone coverage thanks to his length and linear speed and had lots of ball production at Notre Dame.
Buffalo needs more speed in the secondary and Hairston, the fastest player at the NFL combine, certainly provides that. His impressive ball skills (six interceptions, 10 passes defensed in his last 20 games in college) should translate to the NFL, as well. He could be a key piece for getting the unit over the hump in the playoffs.
Banks offers the physical profile that could fit at either guard or tackle in the NFL. The Chiefs' offensive line was exposed in their Super Bowl loss and they bring in the former Longhorn as a piece to develop for the future, either at tackle or guard.
Emmanwori tested as one of the most elite athletes at the combine with linebacker size (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) and freak athleticism. The Eagles have one of the best rosters in the league without many glaring needs. Safety may be the biggest need after Philadelphia traded away C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Emmanwori has the traits to step in and be a contributor immediately for a young secondary.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 2025 NFL mock draft: Shedeur Sanders goes to the Browns
Continue reading...
Miami's Cam Ward remains the favorite to go No. 1 overall to the Tennessee Titans. Sanders is a near-lock to be the next quarterback up in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL draft. His high floor as a prospect who uses timing and accuracy to lift an offense makes him a good choice as a day one starter for quarterback-needy teams.
Sanders' performance at the showcase didn't ease all the concerns in his scouting report. There are still questions about his athleticism at the NFL level and his tendency to take on too many sacks.
Still, he showed off with multiple impressive throws, including deep shots down the seam that traveled well once he got in rhythm.
That may have been enough for the Cleveland Browns to decide on taking him. We're exploring that possibility in this week's mock draft.
2025 NFL mock draft
No trades included in this mock draft.
1. Tennessee Titans: QB Cam Ward, Miami
The Titans are all but locked into Ward at No. 1. The Miami passer's mix of elite traits provides the means to be an effective passer at the NFL level. He'll need to take fewer risks in the league but has the offensive line in front of him to provide a baseline level of protection.
2. Cleveland Browns: QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado
The Browns were out in full force for Colorado's showcase and prominent team figures met with both Sanders and teammate Travis Hunter. With the free agent market all but dried up, Cleveland takes the most pro-ready passer in the class with a high floor to lift the Browns' offense.
3. New York Giants: CB/WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
New York makes it two Buffaloes in a row with Hunter at No. 3. Hunter is the consensus best prospect in the class. For a team looking to win now, Hunter can step in immediately as a top-tier cornerback and work in on offense as well to take attention away from Malik Nabers.
4. New England Patriots: Edge Abdul Carter, Penn State
The Patriots need a tackle but Carter is just too talented to pass up. New England invested heavily in the defense in free agency but Carter gives it a premier talent at edge. In this scenario, the Pats will look for the top tackle prospect at the top of Round 2.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: DT Mason Graham, Michigan
Jacksonville needs help on defense and Graham is one of the safest prospects in the class. His high floor as a run defender and presence in the middle should free up edge rushers Joshua Hines-Allen and Travon Walker to wreak havoc in the pass rush.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: CB Will Johnson, Michigan
New Raiders coach Pete Carroll built some of the best defenses in the modern era in Seattle behind an incredible secondary. Las Vegas could use a cornerback like Johnson on the outside. His tape from 2023 shows the best pure cornerback in the class.
7. New York Jets: OT Armand Membou, Missouri
Much of New York's new coaching staff came from Detroit. The franchise's new general manager comes from Denver. Both places put a premium on offensive line talent, either via the draft or free agency (or both). Membou can slide in right away at right tackle, where he played in college, and grow into a long-term starter.
8. Carolina Panthers: WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
Carolina's offense improved down the stretch in 2024 but could still use a threat on the outside. Jalen Coker isn't keeping McMillan from breaking through as a starter. McMillan provides a big-bodied, contested-catch presence on the offense. With the defensive line depth in this class, the Panthers can address those needs later on.
9. New Orleans Saints: LB/Edge Jalon Walker
New Orleans needs more talent on the defensive side of the ball. Walker's positional flexibility means that he could line up in multiple spots for new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. He could be a long-term starter at off-ball linebacker, rush off the edge or a mix of both.
10. Chicago Bears: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Jeanty's one of the best players in the class, regardless of position, and would be an immediate upgrade for the Bears. Chicago invested in the offensive line and here gets a player who can maximize the running game under new coach Ben Johnson. There are needs on the offensive and defensive lines but Chicago can address those later with its two second-round picks.
11. San Francisco 49ers: OL Will Campbell, LSU
San Francisco is happy to see Campbell fall as the team has needs at each tackle spot. Left tackle Trent Williams will be 37 this season and right tackle Colton McKivitz will be a free agent next offseason. Campbell has wingspan questions but is an incredible athlete with three years of very good tape at tackle in the SEC.
12. Dallas Cowboys: WR Matthew Golden, Texas
Dallas misses out on the top running back but can solve that in Round 2 or even Round 3. Instead, the Cowboys get a wide receiver to take some of the attention off star CeeDee Lamb. Golden is an ideal No. 2 wideout who can fit in most any offense thanks to his speed, route running and vertical ability.
13. Miami Dolphins: CB Jahdae Barron, Texas
Two Longhorns go back-to-back with the versatile Barron heading to Miami. Storm Duck and Kader Kohou are slated to start alongside Jalen Ramsey in the cornerback spots. Barron could be an upgrade and a movable piece thanks to his mix of ball skills, athleticism and football IQ.
14. Indianapolis Colts: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
The Colts need an upgrade at tight end after losing their top two pass catchers at the position this offseason. Indianapolis is in a crucial year for quarterback Anthony Richardson and it provides the most versatile tight end in the class to help him along. Warren's a ready-made contributor in the run and pass games.
15. Atlanta Falcons: Edge Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M
Atlanta's pass rush needs help and it gets some with a freak athlete in Stewart. He lacked sack production in college but generated pressures at a good rate. His elite tools make Stewart an ideal developmental edge rusher.
16. Arizona Cardinals: DT Kenneth Grant, Michigan
Grant's one of the best athletes in a loaded defensive tackle class. His size (6-foot-4, 331 pounds) and length (33½-inch arms) project well as a nose tackle in the NFL. He'll need some development to reach his ceiling but can work in behind free agent signees Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell before taking on a bigger role.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Edge Mykel Williams, Georgia
The Bengals get another traits-y, talented Bulldog in the first round with Williams. He played hurt in 2024 but still had strong showings, especially against the future NFL talent in Texas. His freakishly long frame, elite burst and power gives him the tools to potentially be a dominant pass rusher in the NFL.
18. Seattle Seahawks: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
Seattle brought in Klint Kubiak as the team's offensive coordinator for 2025 and that should see more 12 personnel or multi-tight end sets. Loveland's the top pass-catcher on the board who is not a slot wide receiver. His game translates better to the NFL than what he did at Michigan.
19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Edge Mike Green, Marshall
Tampa Bay needs more production off the edge and fills that role with college football's most productive pass rusher in 2024. Green tallied 17 sacks and 24 tackles for loss in his final season with Marshall.
20. Denver Broncos: WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Egbuka's arguably the most pro-ready wide receiver in the class. He's a polished route runner from the slot and could step in as a receiver of the future for Bo Nix. In a deep running back class, Denver addresses that need later on.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss
The Steelers met with Dart ahead of the draft and here decide to take a chance on the quarterback. This doesn't preclude them from signing Aaron Rodgers but offers a plan for the future at a position that's been a need for years. With no second-round pick, they make the move here.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: IOL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State
The Chargers' loss to the Texans in the playoffs showed off the team's deficiencies in the middle of the offensive line. Los Angeles spurned skill positions to invest in the offensive line before and do so again to secure the versatile Zabel to be a guard or center of the future. The wide receiver options aren't appealing at this point and in a class with depth at defensive line and running back, the Chargers will address those needs later.
23. Green Bay Packers: CB Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina
Green Bay bolstered safety in the draft and free agency last season. This year, cornerback gets an upgrade. The team signed Nate Hobbs in free agency and takes the long, athletic, tough Revel to be a long-term starter at either outside cornerback spot.
24. Minnesota Vikings: S Malaki Starks, Georgia
Minnesota addressed its needs in the trenches via free agency with a slew of signings. The secondary still needs some investment, though, especially after losing Cam Bynum in free agency. Starks is one of the best players in the draft regardless of position and could be a versatile piece for the Vikings on the back end.
25. Houston Texans: WR Luther Burden III, Missouri
Houston's wide receiving corps took a hit after losing Stefon Diggs in free agency and Tank Dell to injury. Burden offers a different skill set to Nico Collins and Christian Kirk as an after-the-catch creator in the open field. He could raise the floor of the offense in year one under new coordinator Nick Caley.
26. Los Angeles Rams: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama
The Rams' young defense shined down the stretch last season but could use an upgrade at the second level. Campbell's a better talent than the cornerbacks on the board as an ideal modern linebacker. In a division featuring Trey McBride and George Kittle, he has the athleticism to help in coverage and the power to shore up run defense.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College
Ezeiruaku is a different kind of edge rusher than who the Ravens usually select in the draft. He's pro-ready with the best array of pass rush moves in the class. His mix of length and bend will make him an effective rusher from day one for a Baltimore defense needing help off the edge.
28. Detroit Lions: Edge Nic Scourton, Texas A&M
Injuries decimated the Lions' defense, including at edge rusher. Scourton isn't as elite an athlete as teammate Shemar Stewart but offers lots for teams at the next level with size (6-foot-3, 257 pounds) and a high motor that will endear him to the staff in Detroit. He'll be at least a rotational piece in year one.
29. Washington Commanders: CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
Washington needs an upgrade at cornerback in a division featuring A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, CeeDee Lamb and Malik Nabers. Morrison excels in zone coverage thanks to his length and linear speed and had lots of ball production at Notre Dame.
30. Buffalo Bills: CB Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
Buffalo needs more speed in the secondary and Hairston, the fastest player at the NFL combine, certainly provides that. His impressive ball skills (six interceptions, 10 passes defensed in his last 20 games in college) should translate to the NFL, as well. He could be a key piece for getting the unit over the hump in the playoffs.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: OL Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas
Banks offers the physical profile that could fit at either guard or tackle in the NFL. The Chiefs' offensive line was exposed in their Super Bowl loss and they bring in the former Longhorn as a piece to develop for the future, either at tackle or guard.
32. Philadelphia Eagles: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina
Emmanwori tested as one of the most elite athletes at the combine with linebacker size (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) and freak athleticism. The Eagles have one of the best rosters in the league without many glaring needs. Safety may be the biggest need after Philadelphia traded away C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Emmanwori has the traits to step in and be a contributor immediately for a young secondary.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 2025 NFL mock draft: Shedeur Sanders goes to the Browns
Continue reading...
